Style Council: Valerie's Body Confidence Blog

Hey guys! Style Council Valerie here! This time I'm here to talk about how I dress to flatter my body shape.

Because I have a very slender figure, I pay close attention to way I dress my boyish body. I think it's ironic how my style is sexy, even though I have no curves at all! It's safe to say that I know how to dress for my body type. When you have long legs, narrow hips and broad shoulders, it's difficult to feel comfortable with who you are. There was a time when I was so self-conscious about my body that I wore sweat pants on a daily basis, not just because they were comfortable, but because they created the illusion that I had curves. Throughout the years, I gained confidence and learned to accept myself the way I am. We all have insecurities and my biggest insecurity was my narrow hips. That all changed about two years ago, though, when I found my "secret weapon" — high-waisted clothing!

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I learned that high-waisted bottoms emphasize the smallest part of my body, my waist. I love to accentuate my figure by cinching my waist with belts. Because I have long legs, I find that the higher the shorts, the higher the heel, and the longer the skirt — the better! Maxi skirts are my holy grail — they make my legs look even longer, creating the perfect canvas for my narrow hips. While most people would argue that mini skirts emphasize any curve that you have, I feel that this method works best for me. I also find that brighter colors always look best on me. When it comes to wearing jeans, I like them to be super tight and really high waisted. I love pairing jeans with crop tops to help create the illusion that I have curves. When it comes to dresses, I try to stay from wearing anything too tight. I go for tulip dresses, which have a lot of volume.

Shopping for clothes that flatter my figure is not hard at all. I shop at Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, Topshop and H&M. Each brand has a variety of looks that can fit all different shapes and sizes. You can always find a great pair of highwaisted jeans at American Apparel or a flattering dress at Topshop. My biggest inspiration is Kate Moss. She taught me that anything is possible and that you don't have to look like Tyra Banks or Adriana Lima to be considered beautiful or sexy. Sexy comes in every shape, size, and color. So remember, it's not about what you wear, it's all about confidence, which looks good on everybody! Don't be afraid to try different things—who cares what anyone thinks, wear what you want!